AD 2002-26-01

Effective January 31, 2003. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 31, 2003.

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Textron Lycoming, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701, telephone (570) 323-6181; fax (570) 327-7101. This information may be examined, by appointment, at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

Norm Perenson, Aerospace Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, 3rd floor, Valley Stream, NY 11581-1200; telephone (516) 256-7537; fax (516) 568-2716.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 93-02-05, Amendment 39-8487 (58 FR 26056, April 30, 1993), which is applicable to certain Textron Lycoming fuel injected reciprocating engines that currently require inspection, and replacement if necessary, of externally mounted fuel injector fuel lines, was published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2002 (67 FR 10859). Because of the requests of two commenters, this AD has been expanded and will also supersede AD 93-05-22, Amendment 39-8525, (58 FR 19768, April 16, 1993), which is only applicable to Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD. This dual supersedure will eliminate duplication and provide proper inspection and replacement instructions for the TIO-540-S1AD engines. The NPRM supersedure proposed to require that additional engine series that have been identified with the potential for the same problem, be included in the list of Textron Lycoming fuel injected reciprocating engine series listed in the AD applicability, in accordance with Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 342D, dated July 10, 2001.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.

Two commenters point out that the current AD does not apply to the TIO-540-S1AD engines and the same unsafe condition in those engines is covered by a separate action, AD 93-05-22, Amendment 39-8525. The commenters request that either this action also supersede AD 93-05-22 or that this action not apply to the TIO-540-S1AD engines.

The FAA agrees. AD 93-05-22, Amendment 39-8525, is also superseded by this AD, and the TIO-540-S1AD engines have been included in the Applicability.

One commenter states that engines shipped from the factory have all of the fuel line clamps installed, and no action is required until a maintenance action is performed in the field that disturbs the clamping. The commenter states that exempting engines shipped from the factory would avoid an unnecessary inspection after an engine has been delivered after purchase or overhaul.

The FAA disagrees. The current AD and this superseding AD already account for new and newly overhauled engines by allowing those engines 50 hours after the effective date before an initial inspection is required, as opposed to 10 hours for engines that have been maintained since new or since overhaul. The FAA has determined that inspections are necessary even before maintenance is performed to ensure that the fuel injector lines remain properly clamped. Therefore, the FAA made no changes to the rule with respect to this request. Engines shipped from the factory (new or overhauled) will have passed one or more inspections that will satisfy the requirements of this AD.

One commenter states that Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 342D should also be included in the proposal's paragraph (a) listing after MSB No. 342C under the section titled “Engines That Have Been Previously Inspected”. The commenter states there will be engines that have already been inspected to Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D. This would allow an operator to take credit for a previously completed inspection.

The FAA agrees. Reference to Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D has been added to paragraph (a) in the final rule.

One commenter states that Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D should also be included in the proposal's paragraph (b) listing after MSB No. 342C under the section titled “Engines That Have Not Been Inspected”. The commenter states that there will be engines that have not been inspected to Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D. This addition would allow a reference to the latest Service Bulletin.

The FAA agrees. Reference to Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D has been added to paragraph (b) of the final rule.

One commenter states that since vibration seems to be a concern, there should be a distance provided from the engine case to the clamp on the push rod tube that would give maximum line vibration reduction to reduce the effects of engine vibration.

The FAA disagrees. While the FAA understands that vibration is a concern, the FAA does not agree that a change is required to the AD. The information to dampen the vibrations is contained in Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D. No change has been made to this final rule.

One commenter requests guidance relative to whether other items can be installed on the clamp around the push rod tube, and if not, a statement added that the clamp around the push rod tube must “stand alone” and only be used for the fuel line.

The FAA does not agree. Proper clamping procedures are contained in MSB No. 342D. No change has been made to the rule.

Service Bulletin (SB) issue dates were omitted in NPRM Docket No. 92-ANE-56-AD in the paragraphs entitled “Engines That Have Been Previously Inspected” and “Engines That Have Not Been Inspected”. The SB issue dates are added to this AD in the paragraphs referenced above.

Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D Time of Compliance statement states, “Check every 100 hours,” * * * This AD states, “* * * at each 100-hour inspection * * *”. The 100-hour inspections may be extended to 110 hours provided the next inspection is performed at 90 hours. The requirements of this AD has precedence over Textron Lycoming MSB No. 342D.

After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

There are approximately 4,160 Textron Lycoming engines of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 2,496 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour to inspect and replace all lines on a four-cylinder engine, 1.5 work hours to inspect and replace all lines on a six-cylinder engine, and 2 hours to inspect and replace all lines on an eight-cylinder engine, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $440.00 for a four-cylinder engine, $660.00 for a six-cylinder engine, and $880.00 for an eight-cylinder engine. Based on these figures, the total cost per airplane of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated as follows:

• $500.00 for a four-cylinder engine.

• $750.00 for a six-cylinder engine.

• $1000.00 for an eight-cylinder engine.

This final rule does not have federalism implications, as defined in Executive Order 13132, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Accordingly, the FAA has not consulted with state authorities prior to publication of this final rule.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-8487 (58 FR 26056, April 30, 1993) and Amendment 39-8525 (58 FR 19768, April 16, 1993) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, Amendment 39-12986, to read as follows:

2002-26-01 Textron Lycoming Division, AVCO Corporation: Amendment 39-12986. Docket No. 92-ANE-56-AD. Supersedes AD 93-02-05, Amendment 39-8487 and AD 93-05-22, Amendment 39-8525.

Applicability: This airworthiness directive (AD) is applicable to Textron Lycoming fuel injected reciprocating engines incorporating externally mounted fuel injection lines as listed in the following Table 1:

Engine models in Table 1 are installed on, but not limited to Piper PA-24 Comanche, PA-30 and PA-39 Twin Comanche, PA-28 Arrow, and PA-23 Aztec; Beech 23 Musketeer; Mooney 20, and Cessna 177 Cardinal airplanes.

Note 1:

This AD is applicable to engines with an “I” in the prefix of the model designation that have externally mounted fuel injection lines. This AD is not applicable to engines having internally mounted fuel injection lines, which are not accessible.

Note 2:

This AD applies to each engine identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Compliance with this AD is required as indicated, unless already done.

To prevent failure of the fuel injector fuel lines allowing fuel to spray into the engine compartment, resulting in an engine fire, do the following: